Route 66, Arizona to Aztec Ruins, New Mexico

Route 66 in Williams Arizona, just south of the Grand Canyon.  

The things you'd expect to find.

Seemingly poised for a photo.

Descending south in Arizona, around Sedona, it becomes hotter and dryer.

On to the Aztec Ruins.  The name is a misnomer.  Not built by the Aztecs of Central America but by the Pueblo people, early settlers mistaken associated with the Aztecs.  

We visit the reconstructed Great Kiva that served as a community meeting place and sanctuary.

Earl H. Morris, an archeologist from New York's American Museum of National History, supervised the reconstruction of this Kiva in the 1930s.  Now I wonder about how it might have been used ceremonially as we pass under the squares of light.

Wandering through a "great house" a multi-storied, connected building where people lived.

Neal, amongst the ruins of a great house.

Though lotted before it was protected as a national monument, portions of the original structure remain.  Passing through these doors, we wonder if the early Pueblo were short or they contracted low passages for some other reason.

Gwen at the end of a "hallway"

This is an original ceiling we pass under.  The dry weather has helped to preserve it.
Some earlier visitors have left graffiti.  

When we ask Phillip what he did today, he says, "I did what sister did."

The rooms can be clearly seen here, behind Gwen.  

This archeological site is a hidden gem worth seeing - larger than some more popular sites.  It has much in common with Chaco Canyon but is easily accessible.

Scientists are able to use the timbers used in construction to determine when the  structures were built.  Outer ring dates of beams indicate the ruins where built in two phases - one around 1111 AD and another around 1118 AD.  They can also determine how long the structures were occupied by dating the timbers that were used for repairs these were added from a tree cut in 1269AD.  They are not sure why the site was abandoned after this but speculate, drought or, political, religious or social issues.

Grand Canyon National Park

Moonrise at Lee's Ferry

The area is a staging ground for rafting trips in the Colorado.  Some rapids are visible here.

Morning coffee before heading off for the Grand Canyon.

A beach, a cold morning, as we explore the edge of the Colorado River.

  The Colorado no longer reaches the Bay of California due to human use along the way.

The water of the Colorado is ice cold.

As we make our way south, giant boulders, seemingly set down by giants,  give the appearance of an alien landscape.

A bridge over the Colorado River.

We cross through the Navajo Nation to get to Grand Canyon National Park.  

Our first view of the Canyon.

Looking down.

There are many miles of the Rim with varying views as well as the option of hiking in to the Canyon.

We arrive during National Parks Week and it was very crowded.  People from around the world speaking many different languages surround us at a popular overlook. The Park has a shuttle system that drives up and down several miles of the South Rim.  Riders can get off and on freely once the entrance fee is paid.

A discussion about the Canyon.  Go ahead Neal, explain this.

Vertigo!  I'm glad there are strong railings everywhere we go though some intrepid tourists leave the safety to explore other outcroppings.

One last picture before we leave the South Rim and go to our campsite a half mile away in the Park.  It's nice to spend the night right in the Park.  Neal will come back to the morning for sunrise while the rest of us sleep.

Road to the Grand Canyon

We leave Zion National Park and take the road east/southeast - Alternate Route 89 - into northern Arizona.   Our first view of the Vermilion Cliffs in the distance.

 The road accentuating the distance and expanse we frequently experience here in the West.

A closer view of the Vermilion Cliffs

At Marble Canyon, we stop at an artist's shop filled with beautiful paintings and jewelry.  She's out, but we have fun peering in and wondering about her and her beautiful work.  We're told at the near-by gas station a campground is up the next road.

We turn left and find a national park campground, not appearing on our map or GPS, at Lees Ferry.  It's one of the few places with beach access to the Colorado River, seen here,  the sliver between cliffs and flowers.

The Colorado, green and white between rust and tan.  Later we will see it as a ribbon of green winding through the Grand Canyon.

Gwen explores the area with me, Colorado River in the distance.

We're lucky to be here in spring. The dessert is blooming.

The view of the Colorado, looking north.  Off to Grand Canyon tomorrow.

Zion National Park, Utah

After leaving Las Vegas, we travel through southern Utah.  Here are pictures from Zion National Park.  

Arriving at Zion.

Zion Canyon, 15 miles long and up to half a mile deep, cuts through the reddish and tan colored Navajo Sandstone by the North Fork of the Virgin River. 

Gwen and Phil slept on our way to Zion and awoke groggy.  We take the shuttle to view the Park and orient ourselves.

These formations represent 150 million years of mostly Mesozoic-aged sedimentation.

An early settler from historic times, is credited with naming the area "Zion", a reference to a place of peace mentioned in the Bible.

The Park's shuttles work well.  Once in the Park, they are free and the drivers are also guides providing information about Zion. You can get out at the various lookouts, trails, and the visitors center and restaurant.

Part of the Colorado Plateau, pushed up over time, it was once under a shallow sea.

Kids play by the Virgin River that provides life giving water to the green canyon. The water is cold though some people swim near us.

Neal has got it good, looking over the river at sunset.

This is the view looking up from our campsite.

I can't resist taking a lot of pictures. Ansel Adams, American photographer, took pictures of the Canyon too.

The Park campground was full but we find a very beautiful spot right outside the gates and still within the canyon.  It has the added benefit of hook-ups so we have electricity and water.

Near the Park's entrance.  This much photographed canyon was first inhabited by humans more than 2000 years ago.

Tunnel Ahead.  To drive east through the Park we must make a reservation to go through a long tunnel.  When we arrive, traffic is stopped from the other direction.  The last car through hands the ranger a baton and then we take our turn going down the middle of the low clearance tunnel.

Coming out the other side, it is dryer and the road less traveled despite the others vehicles you see here.

Phil takes the opportunity of a roadside stop to play in the dirt.

After the crowded canyon, it is very peaceful here.

Stuffed animals climb too.

Outside the Park, we stop to feed horses and view the buffalo.

These are the only buffalo we have seen on our trip.  Next, on to the Grand Canyon.